Cumbia my lord (and Chorizo Salvaje)

More cumbia rhythms recently with Chorizo Salvaje, one of the numerous Santiago-based bands that make up the nueva cumbia rock chilena scene which is thriving in Santiago these days. The afro-cumbia rhythms are heavy and the demon horn section gives the sound a brooding menace which, laced with the cumbia percussion that energises the whole thing makes for a pretty raw sound. As with all these bands, Chorizo Salvaje get a lively crowd and it's good, slightly dark, party vibes.

They are very bass and percussion driven, with fat horn melodies, with elements of other musical forms from gitana through to salsa. One of the most noticeable things about them is the regularity with which the band members change roles in the band. For example the bass player takes over on percussion in some tunes, while the trumpeter gets on the mike and starts bellowing. There are two main singers, male and female, and they offer very different styles: the guy is more like an MC and riles the crowd much more while the girl has a voice that goes low in a bassy baritone or high in sweet harmony. Her voice is not for everyone but there's no denying she's got a pair of lungs.

While not my favourite local band from this particular scene (that would be Conmoción or La Mano Ajena), Chorizo Salvaje is definitely worth checking out and provide yet more evidence of the vibrant music scene in which Santiago revels. The underground cumbia scene in particular is a key part of the city's alternative culture with hugely popular bands whose main source of income comes from playing live, meaning that there are gigs all the time.

Cumbia originated in Colombia through the integration of musical influences of African slaves with indigenous Indians. Its African roots can be heard in percussive rhythms and vocal dynamics that owe much to tribal singing. Over many years it has spread all over Latin America and each country has its own distinct style, using different time signatures and instruments, as the traditions of each particular region were introduced. In Chile, cumbia was for a long time performed in a romantic context, with soppy lyrics and corny imagery alienating many young people from the vital ingredients that form its foundation. Yet in the last ten years or so, the likes of Chico Trujillo, Juana Fe and Conmoción have emerged to reclaim cumbia and inject a raucous and passionate energy into a previously staid musical style. It now represents one of Chile's most stimulating forms of cultural expression.